COMMENTS.-This Scripture lesson consists principally of the hymn of Simeon. This hymn is called the Nunc Dimittis, because these are the first words of the Latin version, or translation of the hymn. The English of nunc dimitttis is, now lettest thou depart.

25, 26. Simeon. Nothing is certainly known of this saint, save what is here stated. What is here said, however, has rendered his name immortal. Those who love God and honor His Son, are themselves honored of God. For the consolation of Israel, that is for the Messiah, who was designated by this name among the Jews. The Holy Ghost was upon him. The Holy Ghost is the third person in the ever-adorable Trinity, and is Himself God. He was upon Simeon in an extraordinary way as a Spirit of prophecy. Should not see death; that is, should not die. The Lord's Christ. Christ means Anointed. Jesus is called the Lord's Christ, or Anointed, because He was ordained of God to be our Saviour and our King.

27, 28. He came by the Spirit into the temple. The temple meant is the temple which was in Jerusalem, and which was originally built by Solomon, then rebuilt, after being destroyed, by Zerubbabel, afterwards enlarged and beautified by Herod, and finally utterly destroyed in the taking of Jerusalem by the Romans. To this temple, which he no doubt frequently went up to, he was at this time impelled to go by an irresistible impulse from God. The parents; that is, Mary and Joseph. He took Him up in his arms, and blessed God. The actual possession of Jesus and thanksgiving to God always go together.

should not perish, but have everlasting lffe; John iii. 16. A light to lighten the Gentiles. Jesus has proved a light to the Gentiles, in, that, through Him, they have come to know the truth, and the way to everlasting life and blessedness. The glory of thy people Israel. Jesus is the glory of Israel, in that He is the highest product, as regards His humanity, of the life of Israel. To prepare the way for his coming, and that through His coming all nations might be blessed, Israel was called to be a peculiar people.

33-35. And Joseph and his mother marvelled. "Not because they learned from the song of Simeon anything that they had not learned before, but they were struck and charmed by the new aspect under which this salvation was presented." Set for the fall and rising again of many. When Jesus comes and actually presents His claims upon men, it becomes impossible for them to remain neutral as regards Him; they must either reject, or accept Him. By rejecting Him they doom themselves to eternal perdition, but by accepting Him as their Lord and Saviour, they become heirs of everlasting life. Thus Christ is set for the fall and rising again of many. Spoken against. Jesus is ever hated and spoken against by those who do not love God, and who are not willing to accept the salvation which He has prepared. A sword shall pierce through thy own soul. This prophecy was fulfilled when Mary in sorrow stood by the cross and saw her Son nailed to the accursed tree. That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. It is not possible for us to maintain a lasting neutrality with respect to Jesus. We must either love or hate Him, and this love or hate will necessarily show itself in our actions, and thus reveal our thoughts. If we love Jesus, it shows that we are in harmony inwardly with the good, the true, and the beautiful; but if we hate Him, it becomes manifest that the thoughts of our hearts are evil. "His appearing brings to light the latent good and evil, as the same sun which dissipates the clouds that obscure the sky, also draws up the mists and vapor of earth."

especially suited to the close of the year. As he having seen Christ was willing to depart, so we having found Christ, should be willing to contemplate without regret the flight of time, and joyfully look forward to the glorious future which awaits the children of God. And this the possession of Jesus will enable us to do. He takes away the fear of death, and dispels the darkness of the tomb, with the assured hope of a glorious resurrection.

Boy Training.

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It was my good fortune this past summer to be thrown into the company a family of boys, the eldest of whom had recently graduated from one of our first colleges with distinguished honors.

Modesty and manliness were written on his brow; and one could easily believe the truth of his mother's remark that "all the comfort any mother had ever taken with a daughter, she had taken with her son." I believe that our best men are made of these motherly boys, those who are not continually fretting at the apron-strings-if the apon-strings are worthy articles of restraint. In this case the mother and father were

power.

"Harry! look me in the eye! look me in the eye!" was the authoritative command; and not until the boy lifted his face and met his father's gaze, was the word of admonition given. And there was no mincing matters. The governing power was where it belonged; the censure was deserved; the mother's silence was an additional reproof, and obstinacy was in subjection.

In governing the boy, it too frequently happens that father and mother do not pull together, and perhaps that is one reason why this mode of training struck me as being rather novel and peculiar; and as we judge entirely by

results, four well-behaved, gentlemanly, agreeable boys are certainly sufficient proof that, in the case above cited, the governing power has fortunately been placed in the hands of the right individuals.

The method reminded me strongly of the hymn now so familiar, and so illustrative of the power and spirit of Jesus Christ, the burden of which is the promise:

"I will guide thee with mine eye."

Surely, if we have this power over the lad, can command his respectful attention, can hold him by the magnetism of have reason to hope that neither precept the eye (the window of the soul), we nor example will be altogether lost. In governing the boy, therefore, we should adopt the first rule in military tactics, and begin with ATTENTION!

-S. S. Times.

Read This, Boys.

A gentleman advertised for a boy to assist him in his office, and nearly fifty applicants presented himselves to him. Out of the whole number he in a short time selected one and dismissed the rest. "I should like to know," said a friend, "on what ground you selected that boy, who has not a single recommendation." "You are mistaken," said the gentleman," he had a great many. He wiped his feet when he came in, and closed the door after him, showing that he was careful. He gave up his seat to that lame old man, showing that he was thoughtful. He took off his cap when he came in, and answered my questions promptly and respectfully, showing that he was polite and gentlemanly, He picked up the book which I had purposely laid on the floor, and replaced it on the table, while all the rest stepped over it or shoved it aside, and he waited quietly for his turn, instead of pushing and crowding, showing that he was honest and orderly. When I spoke to him I noticed that his clothes were carefully brushed, and his teeth as white as milk; and when he wrote his name, I noticed that his finger nails were clean, instead of being tipped with jet,. Don't you call these things letters of recommendation? I do.